Dubai developer Omniyat has announced plans to bring the Dorchester Collection brand to Dubai for the first time with an iconic new development on the banks of Dubai Canal.

The development includes a 5-star hotel and luxury residences, managed by Dorchester Collection, at Marasi, and is part of a long-term agreement that will be rolled out in the coming years.

In addition to the new development, full details of which will be revealed in the coming weeks, Omniyat and Dorchester Collection will also join forces on other projects in the region.

Mahdi Amjad, CEO and executive chairman of Omniyat, said the collaboration between the two companies will put Dubai on the "same globally important footing" for Dorchester as its established hotels in locations such as London, Rome, Beverly Hills and Paris.

“Omniyat is a strong key player in bespoke luxury lifestyle and hospitality development in the region and this carefully selected partnership with Dorchester Collection is another statement on how we differentiate ourselves,” said Amjad.

“We aim for authenticity through our projects that add to Dubai’s skyline and we only partner with the world’s most established brands that share our passion and excitement for creating unique, ultra-luxury developments. We want to fuel unforgettable experiences through our projects and we couldn’t have found a more suitable partner than Dorchester Collection.”

Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection, added: “We are delighted to partner with Omniyat with its global reputation for outstanding design. This is our first hotel and residence complex in the Middle East and we look forward to bringing our distinct style of hospitality to this region.”

An exclusive gala event in March 2018 will celebrate the announcement, unveiling the project’s official name and a preview look at the design.

The move is the latest in a number of high-end lifestyle partnerships that Omniyat has secured in recent years, following previous agreements with The Langham and ME by Melia.

Established in 2005, Omniyat has a development portfolio of over $6.2 billion. Last year, the developer sold the penthouse at its One Palm development for AED 102 million, making it the most expensive apartment in Dubai.